For the North Haven boys’ soccer team this season, the name of the game is gaining through growth–a target that is very much achievable while housing eager talent that will compete in arguably the best conference in Connecticut.

The Nighthawks finished 2-14 on their campaign a year ago. Now this fall, again under the tutelage of Head Coach John Parisella, North Haven returned to the pitch with a much more youthful vibe in terms of roster personnel, and has played its way to the tune of a 1-6-1 record thus far. Still, it is certainly not a negative trait for the squad, with the Nighthawks looking to shine and develop some quite prodigious players.

“We have a very young team, which is exciting, but challenging,” said Parisella. “There are growing pains; however, the team is trending positively and we have lots of things to celebrate daily. Our goals are simple: to improve every day as a team and create an environment and culture that players want to be a part of. The future is bright here.”

At the top of the slate is a triumvirate of club captains for the Nighthawks. Justin Gouin is on the defensive end of the field at the center back position and serves as the lone senior captain. Joining him are juniors with utility man Jack Notaro, who has doubled as a midfielder and forward, plus Kevin Parker, who additionally stretches the field while making his message loud and clear to his teammates.

“Justin Gouin brings toughness and a mature attitude to our back line,” said Parisella. “Justin has been a varsity player for three seasons. Jack Notaro has also been a varsity player for three seasons. He is a versatile player who can play both midfield and forward for us. Recently, Jack has settled in as a forward and has scored a goal [against Amity and Guilford on Sept. 12 and 15, respectively]. Kevin Parker is one of our more athletic players, capable of playing multiple mid field positions and a great communicator on the field.”

Additional contributing players and anticipated key pieces for the remainder of the campaign with North Haven include senior Alex Morocho, currently holding two goals and two assists in 2023, plus defensive stalwart and junior Russell Collins, who has been a precision passer at center back, and finally sophomore Hayden Minns.

“Alex Morocho is a very dangerous player going forward,” said Parisella. “Alex is a very creative player who can get other players involved, as well as create opportunities for himself. Russell Collins is a physical presence in the back. Russell can also get our attack going with pinpoint passing to our midfield and forwards. Another player to watch is Hayden Minns. Hayden is a creative player who is responsible for getting everyone involved, connecting the dots if you will.”

For the rest of October, North Haven will travel all across the Southern Connecticut Conference and compete in the meat grinder of a competitive conference–meaning that the Nighthawks must have their game faces on and be up and ready for all challengers and opponents that lie ahead if they hope to fulfill any postseason aspirations.

“Every game is a key match up,” Parisella said. “We are trying to instill in the players that every game is a battle and there is no time for let downs.”

Parisella is back at the helm this fall for his third season as North Haven’s head man, having previously served as an assistant coach under his predecessor Reid Chieffo for four years. Parisella’s staff this fall includes Assistant Coach RJ Notaro, JV Coach Larry DiBernardo, and Goalie Coach Joey Russo–each have served on staff for three campaigns.

The 2023 North Haven boys’ soccer team roster is comprised of seniors Gouin, Alex Morocho, Enes Sariyildiz, Alex Vaughan; juniors Collins, Theodore Kattis, Oluwadamilola Konigbagbe, Jace Matthew, Joseph Morocho, Notaro, Parker, Joseph Solimene Jr, Oguzhan Turkan; sophomores Noah Buck, Charlie Daniele, Eyad Elabd, Nicholas Gaetano, Samuel Giering, Sean Lubanda, Julian Massey, David Meneses, Minns, Aiden Oliveira, Aiden Ricci, Jett Rosekopf, Nico Sahirul, Joshua Stefanik, Ty Zemba; and finally freshmen of Christian Cajamarca, Luciano Calderon, Braden Cohen, William Gagne, Samnang Mui, Quennell Nesmith, Mateo Rodriguez, Christian Temfack, and Hakan Uzun.

2023 North Haven Boys’ Soccer Regular Season Results and Schedule

Sept. 7: North Haven 3, East Haven 0

Sept. 9: North Haven 0, Lyman Hall 0

Sept. 12: Amity 2, North Haven 1

Sept. 15: Guilford 4, North Haven 1

Sept. 19: Cross 3, North Haven 1

Sept. 23: West Haven 2, North Haven 0

Sept. 26: Sheehan 6, North Haven 1

Sept. 29: Branford 2, North Haven 1

Monday, Oct. 2: vs. East Haven at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 4: at Lyman Hall at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 6: at Amity at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 9: at Guilford at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14: vs. Cross at 9 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 18: at West Haven at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 20: vs. Sheehan at 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 23: vs. Branford at 4 p.m.